Everything was fine until we got to the Cincinnati airport. Our flight to Lexington was delayed. We figured it was normal, because there had been delays at other airports. So we sat and watched the flight bored board. Every so often the flight time would be moved back by ten minutes. We started grumbling a bit, as did the other passengers around us.
There were announcements from all different gates, and they all said the same thing: "We're missing crew members; as soon as they arrive, we'll board you on the plane."
We joked about where all the crew members must be. I guessed they were all in the lounge, bitching about us passengers. Ha ha.
Our flight got its pilots, so we expected to board. And it didn't happen, and didn't happen, and yep, it didn't happen. Then we heard that the flight attendant hadn't shown up. The woman sitting across from us raised her hand and said "I'll do it!" and we all laughed, because, yeah, it's a 20-minute flight. I mean, really.
I'm really tired and this is getting boring, so let me just say that they found a new flight attendant, we got on the plane, the cabin door was shut, and the safety procedures were explained. The flight attendant then said, "We're sorry for the delay; we just had word that we're waiting for a passenger from a connecting flight."
A pilot got on the plane and sat in the first row. THAT was the "passenger."
Can you see me rolling my eyes?
We got into Lexington two hours behind schedule. That's all I'm sayin'.
Tomorrow morning we're leaving for Pennsylvania, in the car this time. And before you ask why we didn't just go to Pittsburgh from New York, let me say that due to matters of timing, it just didn't work out that way.
Hope you all had a great holiday, and continue to have a great week. Stay tuned for the recap of Christmas dinner...
Just your typical logistical problem involving Earth orbits, triple integrals, the square root of the normal curve, and a lack of strong coffee when you REALLY need it.
Posted by: The CEO | December 27, 2006 at 00:24
It is pretty annoying to fly these days. I like my flights more predictable! I can't wait to hear about your adventures.
Posted by: Margaret | December 27, 2006 at 00:34
I hear you! We once flew NW Airlines and spent a week in the Detroit airport one long day and night....and the flight crew timed out on us twice...we finally boarded our flight to Orlando at 2 am with a new crew including a cabin staff fresh from flight attendant school and by that time with only about 18 other passengers who hadn't caused a scene about the delays. It was pure misery as much for the delay as for the stream of misinformation that had been a woven part of the process. Why can't the airlines just tell the truth?
Posted by: Karan | December 27, 2006 at 02:24
Umm, how come when I am late for a flight, they don't hold the plane and I just have to wait for another flight?
Posted by: meredith | December 27, 2006 at 04:05
Ah, les joies des transports!
Posted by: Gracianne | December 27, 2006 at 06:20
Let me guess, you flew Delta? It's always something stupid, isn't it?
Posted by: ally bean | December 27, 2006 at 07:34
Oh dear!
Posted by: Katherine | December 27, 2006 at 09:26
Ahh, the joys of holiday-ish air travel...hopefully your luggage went with you, anyway!
Posted by: sandra | December 27, 2006 at 14:59
We were in CVG on Christmas day and saw the Lexington flight backed up then as well.
If you're going to fly somewhere, use AirTran. They rock the casbah in ways mortal men have only begun to fathom.
Posted by: Thomas | December 27, 2006 at 15:13
happy holidays to you and allan! enjoy pennsylvania!
Posted by: rebecca | December 27, 2006 at 17:42
I have to fly home tomorrow. I must get out of here. I will fly the plane and serve the drinks myself if I have to.
Posted by: Mist 1 | December 27, 2006 at 21:29